Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Open a Public Scoping Period, and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting, 21619-21620 [2012-8556]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2012 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 7814] Shipping Coordinating Committee; Notice of Committee Meeting The Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) will conduct an open meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in Room 2501 of the United States Coast Guard Headquarters Building, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593–7126. The primary purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 90th Session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Safety Committee to be held at the IMO Headquarters, London, England, United Kingdom, May 16–25, 2012. The primary matters to be considered include: srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Consideration and adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments; Measures to enhance maritime security; Goal-based new ship construction standards; LRIT-related matters; Flag State implementation; Radiocommunications and search and rescue; Ship design and equipment; Safety of navigation; Fire protection; Dangerous goods, solid cargoes and containers; Stability, load lines and fishing vessel safety; Bulk liquids and gases; Implementation of the STCW Convention; Technical assistance sub-programme in maritime safety and security; Capacity-building for the implementation of new measures; Role of the human element; Formal safety assessment; Piracy and armed robbery against ships; General cargo ship safety; Implementation of instruments and related matters; Relations with other organizations; Application of the Committee’s Guidelines; Passenger ship safety. Members of the public may attend this meeting up to the seating capacity of the room. To facilitate the building security process, and to request reasonable accommodation, those who plan to attend should contact the meeting coordinator, LCDR Matthew Frazee, by email at imo@uscg.mil, by phone at (202) 372–1376, or in writing at Commandant (CG–52), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 20593–7126 not later than April 18, 2012, 7 days prior to the meeting. Requests made after April 18, 2012 might not be able to be accommodated. Please note that due to security considerations, two valid, government issued photo identifications VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:26 Apr 09, 2012 Jkt 226001 must be presented to gain entrance to the Headquarters building. The Headquarters building is accessible by taxi and privately owned conveyance (public transportation is not generally available). However, parking in the vicinity of the building is extremely limited. Additional information regarding this and other IMO SHC public meetings may be found at: www.uscg.mil/imo. Dated: March 29, 2012. Brian Robinson, Executive Secretary, Shipping Coordinating Committee, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2012–8636 Filed 4–9–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–09–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Aviation Proceedings, Agreements Filed the Week Ending March 10, 2011 The following Agreements were filed with the Department of Transportation under the Sections 412 and 414 of the Federal Aviation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1382 and 1384) and procedures governing proceedings to enforce these provisions. Answers may be filed within 21 days after the filing of the application. Docket Number: DOT–OST–2012– 0035. Date Filed: March 7, 2012. Parties: Members of the International Air Transport Association. Subject: Mail Vote 702—Resolution 100 Standard Condition Resolution for Special Fares (Memo 1665) Intended effective date: 1 April 2012. Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, Federal Register Liaison. [FR Doc. 2012–8446 Filed 4–9–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Open a Public Scoping Period, and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the lead Federal agency. ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS, Open a Public Scoping Period, and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21619 This Notice provides information to Federal, State, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested persons regarding the FAA’s intent to prepare an EIS for Space Exploration Technologies’ (SpaceX’s) proposal to launch the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy orbital vertical launch vehicles from a private site located in Cameron County, Texas. Under the Proposed Action, SpaceX proposes to construct a vertical launch area and a control center area to support up to 12 commercial launches per year. The vehicles to be launched include the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy (up to two per year), and a variety of smaller reusable suborbital launch vehicles. SpaceX would be required to apply for the appropriate launch licenses and/or experimental permits to be issued by the FAA. The FAA will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500–1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, as part of its licensing and permitting process. DATES: The FAA invites interested agencies, organizations, Native American tribes, and members of the public to submit comments or suggestions to assist in identifying significant environmental issues and in determining the appropriate scope of the EIS. The public scoping period starts with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. To ensure sufficient time to consider issues identified during the public scoping period, comments should be submitted to Ms. Stacey M. Zee, FAA Environmental Protection Specialist, by one of the methods listed below no later than May 30, 2012. All comments will receive the same attention and consideration in the preparation of the EIS. ADDRESSES: Comments, statements, or questions concerning scoping issues or the EIS process should be mailed to: Ms. Stacey M. Zee, FAA Environmental Protection Specialist, SpaceX EIS c/o Cardno TEC Inc., 275 West Street, Suite 110, Annapolis, MD 21409. Comments can also be sent by email to faaspacexeis@cardnotec.com or by fax to (410) 990–0455. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background The FAA is preparing an EIS to analyze the potential environmental E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM 10APN1 21620 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2012 / Notices impacts of SpaceX’s proposal to launch orbital and suborbital launch vehicles from a private site in Cameron County in southern Texas. The EIS will consider the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives, including the No Action Alternative. The successful completion of the environmental review process does not guarantee that the FAA would issue launch licenses and/or experimental permits to SpaceX. The project must also meet all FAA safety, risk, and indemnification requirements. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Proposed Action The Proposed Action is for the FAA to issue launch licenses and/or experimental permits to SpaceX that would allow SpaceX to launch the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy orbital vertical launch vehicles and a variety of reusable suborbital launch vehicles from a launch site on privately-owned property in Cameron County, Texas. The Falcon 9 orbital vertical launch vehicle is a medium-lift class launch vehicle with a gross lift-off weight of approximately 1,000,000 pounds (lbs) with a maximum length of 230 feet (ft). The Falcon 9 uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and highly refined kerosene, also known as rocket propellant-1 or refined petroleum-1 (RP–1), as propellants to carry payloads into orbit. The Falcon Heavy is similar to the Falcon 9, except it has an additional two boosters ‘‘strapped on,’’ each booster being almost identical to the Falcon 9 first stage core. The Falcon Heavy is a heavy lift class launch vehicle with a gross liftoff weight of approximately 3,400,000 lbs. It has an overall maximum length of approximately 230 ft. A reusable suborbital launch vehicle could consist of a Falcon 9 Stage 1 tank with a maximum propellant (RP–1 and LOX) load of approximately 6,900 gallons. As part of the Proposed Action, SpaceX proposes to construct a vertical launch area and a control center area. The proposed vertical launch area site is currently undeveloped and is located directly adjacent to the eastern terminus of Texas State Highway 4 (Boca Chica Boulevard) and approximately 3 miles north of the Mexican border on the Gulf Coast. It is located approximately 5 miles south of Port Isabel and South Padre Island. At the vertical launch area, the new facilities required would include: an integration- and processinghangar, a launch pad and stand with its associated flame duct, propellant storage and handling areas, a workshop and office area, and a warehouse for parts storage. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:26 Apr 09, 2012 Jkt 226001 The control center area would be located inland to the west of the vertical launch area and would include: A control center building and a payload processing facility; it might also include a launch vehicle preparation hangar and satellite fuels storage. All facilities would be constructed on private land owned or leased by SpaceX. The development of access and supporting utility infrastructure for the vertical launch area and the control center area may occur on lands outside that which is owned or leased by SpaceX. Operations would consist of up to 12 launches per year with a maximum of two Falcon Heavy launches. All Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches would be expected to have commercial payloads, including satellites or experimental payloads. In addition to standard payloads, the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy may also carry a capsule, such as the SpaceX Dragon capsule. All launch trajectories would be to the east over the Gulf of Mexico. The potential environmental impacts of all proposed construction activities will be analyzed in the EIS, in addition to the impacts from operating the facilities and launching orbital and suborbital launch vehicles. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with: air quality; noise and compatible land use; land use, including Section 4(f) properties and Farmlands; coastal resources; biological resources, including threatened and endangered species; water resources, including surface waters and wetlands, groundwater, floodplains, and water quality; historical, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; light emissions and visual resources; hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and solid waste; infrastructure and utilities; and socioeconomics, environmental justice, and children’s environmental health and safety. The analysis will include an evaluation of the potential direct and indirect impacts, and will account for cumulative impacts from other relevant activities in the area of Cameron County, Texas. Alternatives Alternatives under consideration include the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue a license or experimental permit to SpaceX. Based on comments received during the scoping period, the FAA may propose additional alternatives. Scoping Meetings A public scoping meeting will be held to solicit input from the public on PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 potential issues that may need to be evaluated in the EIS. The scoping meeting will be held on May 15, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the International Technology, Education and Commerce Center (ITEC Center), located at 301 Mexico Blvd. G–1, Brownsville, Texas 78520. The meeting format will include an open-house workshop from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The FAA will provide an overview of the environmental process from 6 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. followed by a public comment period from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Issued in Washington, DC on April 3, 2012. Glenn Rizner, Deputy Manager, Space Transportation Development Division. [FR Doc. 2012–8556 Filed 4–9–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–2012–0033] Notice of the Buy America Waiver Request for Vossloh 101–LV Concrete Ties Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), United States Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Buy America waiver request and request for comment. AGENCY: FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. (‘‘BNSF’’) has submitted to FRA through or with the support of the Washington Department of Transportation (‘‘WSDOT’’), the Illinois Department of Transportation (‘‘IDOT’’), the Texas Department of Transportation (‘‘TxDOT’’), and the California Department of Transportation (‘‘Caltrans’’) a waiver request from FRA’s Buy America Act requirements for the purchase of Vossloh 101–LV concrete ties, which contain certain components not manufactured in the United States. In furtherance of four FRA High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (‘‘HSIPR’’) grants, BNSF, as the railroad infrastructure owner, will construct certain rail project elements that consist of the installation of Vossloh 101–LV concrete ties. FRA has received this request from the four States for the following projects: (a) The Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor Program (b) the Amtrak Quad Cities to Chicago Service Initiation Project, (c) the Tower 55 At-Grade Improvement Project, and (d) the LA to Fullerton Triple Track— Segment 7 Project. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM 10APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21619-21620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8556]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Open a Public Scoping 
Period, and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting

AGENCY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the lead Federal 
agency.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS, Open a Public Scoping 
Period, and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice provides information to Federal, State, and local 
agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested persons 
regarding the FAA's intent to prepare an EIS for Space Exploration 
Technologies' (SpaceX's) proposal to launch the Falcon 9 and Falcon 
Heavy orbital vertical launch vehicles from a private site located in 
Cameron County, Texas. Under the Proposed Action, SpaceX proposes to 
construct a vertical launch area and a control center area to support 
up to 12 commercial launches per year. The vehicles to be launched 
include the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy (up to two per year), and a variety 
of smaller reusable suborbital launch vehicles. SpaceX would be 
required to apply for the appropriate launch licenses and/or 
experimental permits to be issued by the FAA. The FAA will prepare the 
EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA; 42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.), the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-
1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures, as part of its licensing and permitting process.

DATES: The FAA invites interested agencies, organizations, Native 
American tribes, and members of the public to submit comments or 
suggestions to assist in identifying significant environmental issues 
and in determining the appropriate scope of the EIS. The public scoping 
period starts with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register. To ensure sufficient time to consider issues identified 
during the public scoping period, comments should be submitted to Ms. 
Stacey M. Zee, FAA Environmental Protection Specialist, by one of the 
methods listed below no later than May 30, 2012. All comments will 
receive the same attention and consideration in the preparation of the 
EIS.

ADDRESSES: Comments, statements, or questions concerning scoping issues 
or the EIS process should be mailed to: Ms. Stacey M. Zee, FAA 
Environmental Protection Specialist, SpaceX EIS c/o Cardno TEC Inc., 
275 West Street, Suite 110, Annapolis, MD 21409. Comments can also be 
sent by email to faaspacexeis@cardnotec.com or by fax to (410) 990-
0455.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA is preparing an EIS to analyze the potential environmental

[[Page 21620]]

impacts of SpaceX's proposal to launch orbital and suborbital launch 
vehicles from a private site in Cameron County in southern Texas. The 
EIS will consider the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed 
Action and reasonable alternatives, including the No Action 
Alternative. The successful completion of the environmental review 
process does not guarantee that the FAA would issue launch licenses 
and/or experimental permits to SpaceX. The project must also meet all 
FAA safety, risk, and indemnification requirements.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action is for the FAA to issue launch licenses and/or 
experimental permits to SpaceX that would allow SpaceX to launch the 
Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy orbital vertical launch vehicles and a 
variety of reusable suborbital launch vehicles from a launch site on 
privately-owned property in Cameron County, Texas. The Falcon 9 orbital 
vertical launch vehicle is a medium-lift class launch vehicle with a 
gross lift-off weight of approximately 1,000,000 pounds (lbs) with a 
maximum length of 230 feet (ft). The Falcon 9 uses liquid oxygen (LOX) 
and highly refined kerosene, also known as rocket propellant-1 or 
refined petroleum-1 (RP-1), as propellants to carry payloads into 
orbit. The Falcon Heavy is similar to the Falcon 9, except it has an 
additional two boosters ``strapped on,'' each booster being almost 
identical to the Falcon 9 first stage core. The Falcon Heavy is a heavy 
lift class launch vehicle with a gross lift-off weight of approximately 
3,400,000 lbs. It has an overall maximum length of approximately 230 
ft.
    A reusable suborbital launch vehicle could consist of a Falcon 9 
Stage 1 tank with a maximum propellant (RP-1 and LOX) load of 
approximately 6,900 gallons.
    As part of the Proposed Action, SpaceX proposes to construct a 
vertical launch area and a control center area. The proposed vertical 
launch area site is currently undeveloped and is located directly 
adjacent to the eastern terminus of Texas State Highway 4 (Boca Chica 
Boulevard) and approximately 3 miles north of the Mexican border on the 
Gulf Coast. It is located approximately 5 miles south of Port Isabel 
and South Padre Island. At the vertical launch area, the new facilities 
required would include: an integration- and processing-hangar, a launch 
pad and stand with its associated flame duct, propellant storage and 
handling areas, a workshop and office area, and a warehouse for parts 
storage.
    The control center area would be located inland to the west of the 
vertical launch area and would include: A control center building and a 
payload processing facility; it might also include a launch vehicle 
preparation hangar and satellite fuels storage. All facilities would be 
constructed on private land owned or leased by SpaceX. The development 
of access and supporting utility infrastructure for the vertical launch 
area and the control center area may occur on lands outside that which 
is owned or leased by SpaceX.
    Operations would consist of up to 12 launches per year with a 
maximum of two Falcon Heavy launches. All Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy 
launches would be expected to have commercial payloads, including 
satellites or experimental payloads. In addition to standard payloads, 
the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy may also carry a capsule, such as the 
SpaceX Dragon capsule. All launch trajectories would be to the east 
over the Gulf of Mexico.
    The potential environmental impacts of all proposed construction 
activities will be analyzed in the EIS, in addition to the impacts from 
operating the facilities and launching orbital and suborbital launch 
vehicles. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental effects 
associated with: air quality; noise and compatible land use; land use, 
including Section 4(f) properties and Farmlands; coastal resources; 
biological resources, including threatened and endangered species; 
water resources, including surface waters and wetlands, groundwater, 
floodplains, and water quality; historical, architectural, 
archaeological, and cultural resources; light emissions and visual 
resources; hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and solid waste; 
infrastructure and utilities; and socioeconomics, environmental 
justice, and children's environmental health and safety. The analysis 
will include an evaluation of the potential direct and indirect 
impacts, and will account for cumulative impacts from other relevant 
activities in the area of Cameron County, Texas.

Alternatives

    Alternatives under consideration include the Proposed Action and 
the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA 
would not issue a license or experimental permit to SpaceX. Based on 
comments received during the scoping period, the FAA may propose 
additional alternatives.

Scoping Meetings

    A public scoping meeting will be held to solicit input from the 
public on potential issues that may need to be evaluated in the EIS. 
The scoping meeting will be held on May 15, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., 
at the International Technology, Education and Commerce Center (ITEC 
Center), located at 301 Mexico Blvd. G-1, Brownsville, Texas 78520. The 
meeting format will include an open-house workshop from 5 p.m. to 6 
p.m. The FAA will provide an overview of the environmental process from 
6 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. followed by a public comment period from 6:15 p.m. 
to 8 p.m.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 3, 2012.
Glenn Rizner,
Deputy Manager, Space Transportation Development Division.
[FR Doc. 2012-8556 Filed 4-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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